One of the consequences of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns has been an increase in demand from consumers for products with inherent health benefits. In this issue, we take a look at the rising number of products in the soft drinks category that offer multiple functional elements; specifically the rise of adaptogens.

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We also muse on the somewhat patronising nature of marketing in spirits towards women, as highlighted by Barcardi’s recent Plume and Petal fiasco, as we ask: why are brand owners still getting women wrong? And, following the last few months of protests and social awakening around social inequality when it comes to race, we also take a look at the world of wine, and why black lives matter in the industry now more than ever.

As lockdowns have lifted across many countries recently, safety concerns are causing the more mature generation to react in different ways to younger drinkers. We look into how this might spell trouble for certain areas of the off-premise, while the extra caution among older consumers will drive growth in other areas.

When it comes to craft beer, for many years the unpredictability when it came to consistency was seen as something of a boon – the ‘luck of the draw’ reflecting the small scale, ‘honest’ production methods. However, as consumers are asking for more consistency, we highlight why craft brewers need to step up their efforts in quality control.

We also highlight the biggest social media influencers in the world of beer: who should you be following? And lastly, looking ahead to the future, we highlight the key coffee trends for the coming year.

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In this issue

The rise of adaptogens: health & wellness in soft drinks

Lucy Britner takes a closer look at the increasing number of products coming to market that offer more than one functional element, detailing the rise of adaptogens in the soft drinks sector.

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Why are spirits brand owners still getting women wrong?

The recent unveiling by Bacardi of its Plume and Petal brand backfired somewhat, with the group stirring up a social media storm with the lower-abv vodka. Spirits commentator Richard Woodard thinks he may know what the problem was – again.

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Black lives in wine should matter now more than ever

More than any other drinks category, wine has long had an issue with diversity. For long-standing wine commentator Chris Losh, the Black Lives Matter movement has engendered a strong sense of deja-vu.

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How are older consumers reacting to the post-lockdown world?

As lockdowns have lifted in many countries, safety concerns are causing the more mature generation to react in different ways to younger drinkers. Lucy Britner looks into how this might spell trouble for certain areas of the off-premise, while extra caution among older consumers will drive growth in other areas.

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Quality control is the name of the beer game

Although not the most glamorous aspect of brewing, being able to provide the consumer with an assurance of your beer’s quality is where it’s at. Stephen Beaumont believes that what has previously been the preserve of the industry’s larger brewers now needs to trickle down into craft beer.

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The biggest beer influencers in Q2 2020: who to follow

Using the GlobalData Influencer platform, We’ve named ten of the most influential beer experts on Twitter during Q2 2020.

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Four key coffee trends for 2021

Covid-19 has altered consumer lives and on-trade coffee has taken a big hit. Despite this disruption, according to GlobalData, we can still predict the future trends for the 2020–2022 period.

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Next issue preview

The year is drawing to an end, and what a rollercoaster it has been. In the next edition, we’ll be highlighting our predictions for the beer, wine and spirits sectors in 2021.

We’ll also look at what the combination of Covid-19 and Brexit will mean for drinks businesses both in the UK and further afield.

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